The game, which shipped in April 2001 in the UK and sold approximately 250,000 units, is expected to ship this October as a 989 Sports branded product, and is a one- to two-player game that features this year's Formula One racers, teams, and complete sponsorships and licenses.

Formula One 2001 provides three camera angles (including an excellent above-the-head shot that shows the racer driving, being buffeted by the wind, and shows him reacting to brakes and starts), all 11 teams and 22 players, and features all of the 17 official tracks from around the world. The graphics are highly detailed right now, showing occasional pop-up and interlacing, but these issues are being worked out as we speak. Overall, the cars looked immaculate and the courses appeared accurately replicated.

Visually, a number of details caught my eye. Players can see in realtime cars moving around in the two rear-view mirrors located on the sides of the cars, and they can see rooster tails spray up from the cars when they race in the rain. The cars pick up gravel and grass in their tires, just like in the real world, and the tires change colors accordingly.

Players can choose from four modes, Quick Race (a single race), Grand Prix Season, Time Attack, or two-player split-screen mode. Gamers can also choose from the bonus mode, Spectator mode, which enables them to select choice camera angles around the course as they watch a race, with their selections in drivers and courses.

The game is in pre-alpha stage at the moment but is already running at about 50-60 frames per second, occasionally dropping when all cars appear on the screen, and with great details paid to the car physics and handling. The cars currently drive with an exceptional amount of response, and could even be called a little twitchy, but again, the game is still very early, and the control is actually twitchy in a good way. The vehicles respond incredibly well, with precise response to minute adjustments in steering, acceleration, and braking.

Players can select between automatic gear shifting, and manual, which includes the use of a clutch, and though I was unable to use this feature during the short time I played, the feature is very challenging, but is there for the die-hard racer to try. The cars also demonstrate a great sense of speed, and especially deliver an astonishing sense of acceleration.

The computer AI looks like it may be quite challenging, too. AI controlled cars follow several lines during the course of the game, and all are programmed to race with varying degrees of aggressiveness, skill, and caution, and they also display risk-taking behaviors.

SCEA is planning to deliver this game as a full simulation, with an incredible level of detail placed on every last aspect of the race. F1 fans will definitely have the game of the dreams if they love to race exactly like the pros. However, the game also features an arcade option for those who need a little practice and can't handle the heat just yet.

Formula One 2001 is compatible with the Logitech GT Force Steering wheel, for those fans of GT3 and who love driving.